What Makes a Good Opening Post

[TrueBlue]

SD,
If someone doesn't give enough info in their post, rather than condescend over their inept ability to ask questions, I simply ignore them. Life is just too short to let others get my BP up . . . especially on a sailing BB.

[teshannon]

Man this thread has a lot of potential! ential!

[kwaltersmi]

Regardless of the intent of the SD's OP, it's unlikely that any noobs will even see it here in the "Off Topic" section (thought that's where it belongs). Irony.

[max-on]

Mods, can we setup a 'SD Post Review Forum', so we can submit posts for SD's review and comment before we post to the general forums, then at least the members and general public do not have to be distracted by SD's critical review of new posts.

[Idiens]

Originally Posted by max-on

Mods, can we setup a 'SD Post Review Forum', so we can submit posts for SD's review and comment before we post to the general forums, then at least the members and general public do not have to be distracted by SD's critical review of new posts.

Isn't that what happens in the entire forum? SD is everywhere! Some get delegated to the cruisers' forum, other to SA, Seven Seas etc.. Sailnet is SD's clearing house. He just wants his life made easier.

[blt2ski]

SD forgot his personal email in above post so posts can be reviewed

sailnet@moderatorwannabe.com

In the mean time, OP wile well intentioned, it does go a bit over the top. As some folks take a minute or two to really get to the final question they have, so no matter how they start off, hopefully it will get answered in the time it takes.
Marty

[Giulietta]

That link doesn't work...

[wind_magic]

Originally Posted by max-on

There is a fine line between instructional and condescending.

And too few people can really give it that little extra Umphhh that it needs to truly be condescending.

[chucklesR]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

A good opening post should have a topic or subject line that describes what the thread will be about. It should also have a clear description of the question or problem that needs an answer. It should say what you have tried, if anything. It should provide the basic information that is necessary to solve the problem.

Here is a fairly good example of a good Opening Post from a recent thread, by a recent addition to our online community:

Subject Line:The subject line says exactly what the problem is...
Body of Post

Notice, he says right off what kind of boat it is, even which keel it has...

He describes when he noticed the problem, and what the problem appears to be. He mentions that the problem is new, and references a previous thread of his... he'd get more points if he had actually linked to the thread in his post.

He says what he did to find out more about his problem.

And what he thinks the problem is...

Then he asks his questions...

Fairly clear, concise and with all the information you need to give appropriate advice.

Contrast that with the following post:

Subject Line:

Subject line is a bit vague... isn't it....

Body of Post

Now the body of the post says his plans, and his fears...and asks a good question... but some information we need is missing. He doesn't say where he is located. Exactly how are we to suggest an inland lake for him to try out, if we don't know where he is? Overall, this isn't as bad as some opening posts...but if he said where he lived, it would be really easy to answer his question pretty well. From his UP reference, I could guess he is from Michigan, but he might have just gone to school there, and lives in Oklahoma...

Now here's a subject line that is a bit less vague...but could have been so much better:

Subject Line:

Subject line is a bit vague...

Body of Post


He says what his problem is, and what information he's looking for. In his first sentence he says Ft. Lauderdale. Would it have killed him to put Ft. Lauderdale in the Subject Line???

If you're looking for help... please, make it as easy as possible for people to help you. These two aren't even close to being winners for the worst opening post...

Brevity rules.

[Stillraining]

What Makes a Good Opening Post

Any one of mine...